London’s Tower Bridge to temporarily shut for major facelift

London, June 2 (IANS) London’s world famous Tower Bridge will be shut for three months starting from October 1 for a major facelift, authorities announced on Thursday.

The closure to all road traffic will enable important structural repair and maintenance works to take place on the 122-year-old drawbridge, the City of London Corporation said.

To the joy of tourists from around the world who include Tower Bridge on their must-see list, the bridge will remain open to pedestrians daily, except for three weekends during the closure period, Xinhua news agency reported.

During the closures to pedestrians, a free ferry service across the Thames river close to Tower Bridge will be provided.

The corporation said the work will help ensure the bridge’s smooth operation for decades to come. The viewing gallery along the walkways of the bridge will remain open to visitors for the entirety of the works, and exhibitions will continue as planned.

The work on the bridge will be paid for by a charitable trust tasked with maintaining five bridges that cross the Thames.